Fire has been the key to human survival ever since we've been on this planet. It is what we gather around at the end of the day to feed ourselves and keep us warm. Without the element of fire, life would simply not be possible. This is what makes it such a magical element. We have learned to connect with the universe and its property of heat through fire.
All of our basic associations like love, home, and protection are centered on the idea of fire. It has not only physically protected us, but all of our mythology over the years has developed around it as well. It is truly the inspiration for most human ideas; even our gods and goddesses have rich associations with fire.
What really interests humans about the fire is its flickering and dancing movements. It is easy to get lost in the fire if you keep staring at it for a long time. Most cultures have used fire to produce altered states of consciousness. People used to dance around the fire and get lost in it. They would have beautiful metaphysical experiences that would transform their view of the world entirely. Many people would converse with gods and goddesses with the help of fire. Shamans would conjure up hallucinations with the help of it.
